And it’s particularly hurtful when I get an e-mail from a community leader and friend chastising me like this one…

I
don’t want to gloss over our problems, but I also think an overly
negative self-image does nothing to help fix those problems. In fact I
think that a negative self-image can prevent us from solving problems,
by giving everyone such a pessimistic attitude that we think it can’t be
done.”

I feel even worse when I inadvertently cause the “Birmingham haters” to spew their negative comments.